Los Roques in the winter....

[strip-set]

As the title suggests, I'm looking to book a trip around x-mas and new year's. Been thinking about Los Roques --127-3- ....anyone have any experience fishing down there this time of year? Some articles/books say fishing is pretty decent this time of year - others say it's poor. Anyone with some first-hand experience?! Thanks.

I hate the winter! --123-3

[Strat]

I haven't fished LR but Turneffe can be good in the winter. You will be at the mercy of cold fronts wherever you go. Unstable weather can make things tough on the flats any time of year.

[SpexnReds]

If you have the scratch, go to Christmas Islands, it's perfect fishing year round-totally out of the way of cold fronts and bad weather. Plus, there are hundreds upon thousands of bones there, and alot of Giant Trevally that will tear your rod up!

[Tord]

I have fished LR several times. All in winter, (Feb and March). Friends of mine have been there several times too, from late Nov until early April. It is so close to the equator (lat 11 N) that you should expect stable weather conditions more or less all year round. In total we have made half a dozen trips, we experienced one cold front that lasted 3-4 days out of a total of ~50 days fishing.

Now, keep in mind that LR is heavily booked during Xmas/New Year, with many people from nearby Caracas taking vacations. Same is applicable to Easter.

[Jim Royston]

Tord, the "book" on Los Roques is that the winter tides are considerably higher than spring/summer. Most of the fishing is from the boat throwing glass minnow imitations, as the bonefish are herding huge swarms of minnows. Is this your experience?

[Tord]

Tord, the "book" on Los Roques is that the winter tides are considerably higher than spring/summer. Most of the fishing is from the boat throwing glass minnow imitations, as the bonefish are herding huge swarms of minnows. Is this your experience?
Hi Jim

Regarding the tides: since spring tides usually occur around autumn and spring(!) equinox, I am inclided to disagree. Tide amplitude I noticed was in the magnitude of a foot, for a total peak-low of half a meter.

Regarding the fishing:
Yes, there are huge, immense swarms of minnows, counted in billions. All year round. Regardless of tide level. You find them on the lee side of islands with sandy bottom and preferrably murky water. The bones are there too, cruising around as individuals or in small groups. But the minnows are too agile to be chased so the bones will target on wounded or dead minnows. That fishing is done while walking on the shore or wading, _not_ from boat. You need to locate a cruising fish and present a suitable imitation in proximity of where the fish will pass. Chance is the fish will take the fly if it sees it. You can blind fish also where the fish concentration is high.

There are flats too. Actually, quite many of them. Medium size flats on the islands and hundreds or thousands of pancake flats, some medium sized, most small, some as as small as a backyard. All flats fishing is done wading.

Lastly, some fishing is done from boat, anchored on 2-3 meters deep water, bonefish feeding on sandy bottom, lots of lead or even sinking lines. Not my cup of tea.

There is a few tarpon lagoons, but consider that "bonus".

Also the occasional permit. I cannot confirm that, have not seen or heard of anyone catching one while I was there.